20 April, 2011

Lennon threats condemned:

Proud international; but thugs forced Lennon to quit Norn Iron

Glasgow Celtic have vowed to remain "strong in the face of intimidation" after two live parcel bombs had been sent to manager Neil Lennon.

Lennon was forced to quit the Northern Ireland international set-up in 2002 after receiving death threats and was attacked by two men (who later received six month jail sentences) in Glasgow last year. He has been the subject of considerable other sectarian abuse which has nothing whatsoever to do with football.

Two high-profile Celtic fans were also targets of similar parcel bombs. Strathclyde Police revealed the packages were "designed to cause real harm to the person who opened them," but all four were intercepted beforehand.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell appealed to supporters to stay calm and only respond through support for Lennon, who has been the subject of tight security measures since another item, initially thought to have been a hoax, was intercepted by Royal Mail staff on 4th March.

Lennon last week admitted the off-field issues, which have required him to be put under 24-hour surveillance, had put a "slight strain" on his home life but his love for his job meant he would not give up and Lawwell promised to continue providing support to the Northern Irishman.